A. 5896 2
skills to meet those needs, and the gaps that need to be addressed
through training and education. The state must provide support in the
transition for workers and communities experiencing declining jobs and
revenues associated with high emissions technologies. The state must
also encourage the creation of a pipeline starting in the education
system that leads today's youth into the clean energy careers of tomor-
row.
4. Therefore, to create pathways for young adults to help build a
clean energy, climate-resilient future, the legislature intends to
create the New York youth climate corps. State involvement in the tran-
sition to a climate resilient economy and the youth climate corps' role
in the implementation of the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs
Environmental Bond Act of 2022 are critical to ensuring a faster, more
equitable transition that benefits all.
§ 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
article 59 to read as follows:
ARTICLE 59
NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS
SECTION 59-0101. DEFINITIONS.
59-0103. ESTABLISHMENT.
59-0105. DUTIES.
59-0107. ADVISORY BOARD.
§ 59-0101. DEFINITIONS.
AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
MEANINGS:
1. "NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS" SHALL MEAN THE OFFICE ESTABLISHED
UNDER SECTION 59-0103 OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. "APPROVED HOST SITES" SHALL MEAN NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS,
PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR
ORGANIZATIONS, INDIAN TRIBES, AND ANY OTHER ENTITIES APPROVED BY THE NEW
YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CORPS' MINIMUM WORK-
PLACE REQUIREMENTS.
3. "MINIMUM WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS" SHALL MEAN THE MINIMUM DIVERSITY,
WORKPLACE SAFETY, AND WAGE REQUIREMENTS SET FOR HOST SITES BY THE NEW
YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS.
§ 59-0103. ESTABLISHMENT.
THE NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS IS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT AND GROW
CLIMATE-RELATED SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH THE OBJEC-
TIVE OF BUILDING LOW-CARBON AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, ECOSYS-
TEMS, AND ECONOMIES WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,
AND CAREER PATHWAYS TO SERVICE MEMBERS, WITH A FOCUS ON DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 75-0111 OF THIS CHAPTER. THE NEW YORK
YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SHALL BE AN OFFICE WITHIN THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON
NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY CREATED BY EXECU-
TIVE ORDER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE, SIGNED DECEMBER THIRTIETH, NINETEEN
HUNDRED NINETY-THREE.
§ 59-0105. DUTIES.
THE NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:
1. SEEK FUNDING FROM ARTICLE FIFTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER TO FURTHER
THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. CONNECT, AMPLIFY, AND GROW CLIMATE-RELATED SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES TO
MOBILIZE AND TRAIN YOUNG ADULTS TO BUILD CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE-RESI-
LIENT COMMUNITIES, ECONOMIES, AND ECOSYSTEMS, WITH A FOCUS ON DISADVAN-
TAGED COMMUNITIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 75-0111 OF THIS CHAPTER.
A. 5896 3
3. DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER A SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
TRAINING TO NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SERVICE MEMBERS DURING THEIR
TENURE OF SERVICE. THE SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM MUST PROVIDE TRAINING
AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, FOSTER ENVIRON-
MENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND EXPOSE MEMBERS TO AN ARRAY
OF CLIMATE-RELATED PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE NEW
YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES IN
THE DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM: SERVICE
PROGRAMS; INDIAN TRIBES; ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS; LABOR
ORGANIZATIONS; INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION;
AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS APPROPRIATE.
4. WORK WITH APPROVED HOST SITES TO UNLOCK STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING
PROVIDED APPROVED HOST SITES COMPLY WITH THE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS OF
THOSE SOURCES AND THE YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS' MINIMUM WORKPLACE REQUIRE-
MENTS.
A. NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL COORDINATE,
MANAGE, AND DISTRIBUTE AMERICORPS GRANTS, FUNDS ALLOCATED THROUGH ARTI-
CLE FIFTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, AND ANY OTHER SOURCES OF STATE OR
FEDERAL FUNDING, TO APPROVED HOST SITES.
B. NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL ASSIST APPROVED
HOST SITES IN APPLYING FOR THE EMPIRE STATE APPRENTICESHIP TAX CREDIT,
INCLUDING ANY PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS REGISTERING AS APPREN-
TICESHIP PROGRAMS AND DRAFTING APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENTS.
C. APPROVED HOST SITES WHO ENGAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE, AS
DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH THREE OF SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE-C
OF THE LABOR LAW, SHALL NOT BE BARRED FROM APPLYING FOR THE EMPIRE STATE
APPRENTICESHIP TAX CREDIT, NOTWITHSTANDING PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDIVISION
(B) OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE-C OF THE LABOR LAW.
5. NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL ASSIST APPROVED
HOST SITES IN APPLYING FOR THE NEW YORK YOUTH JOBS PROGRAM TAX CREDIT,
INCLUDING THE PREPARATION OF REPORTS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDI-
VISION (E-1) OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE-A OF THE LABOR LAW.
6. NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL ASSIST APPROVED
HOST SITES IN APPLYING, WHERE APPLICABLE, FOR FUNDING FROM THE DEPART-
MENT AND THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES GRANT
PROGRAM, THE CLIMATE JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP, AND THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM.
§ 59-0107. ADVISORY BOARD.
THERE SHALL BE CREATED WITHIN THE NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS AN
ADVISORY BOARD WHOSE MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT PAY, MEET NOT LESS THAN
TWICE EACH YEAR AND WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE SHALL BE TO ADVISE AS TO THE
MANAGEMENT, OF SUCH YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS. SUCH ADVISORY BOARD SHALL
CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE; THE DIRECTOR OF
PROGRAMS OF THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE;
AN OFFICIAL PARTAKING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND
ACT FROM THE DEPARTMENT; AN OFFICIAL PARTAKING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION; AN OFFICIAL PARTAKING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
RENEWAL; AN OFFICIAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; AND A REPRESENTATIVE
FROM A LABOR ORGANIZATION, TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
§ 3. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section
25-c of the labor law, as amended by section 1 of subpart B of part N of
A. 5896 4
chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, is amended and a new subparagraph (C)
is added to read as follows:
(B) in lieu of the credit specified in subparagraph (A) of this para-
graph, for each qualified apprentice who is considered a disadvantaged
youth for each tax year: (1) five thousand dollars for each first year
apprentice; (2) six thousand dollars for each second year apprentice;
and (3) seven thousand dollars for each third, fourth, or fifth year
apprentice. The apprentice's status as a first, second, third, fourth or
fifth year apprentice will be determined on the last day of the calendar
year, or if the apprentice is no longer employed by the participating
employer on the last day of the calendar year, on the last day of the
apprentice's employment with the participating employer. If a disadvan-
taged youth begins an apprenticeship before the age of twenty-five, a
certified employer shall be eligible to continue to receive the tax
credit for such youth under this subparagraph until that apprentice
completes the apprenticeship[.]; OR
(C) IN LIEU OF THE CREDITS SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF
THIS PARAGRAPH, FOR YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS EMPLOYERS: (1) FIVE THOUSAND
DOLLARS FOR EACH FIRST YEAR APPRENTICE; (2) SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR
EACH SECOND YEAR APPRENTICE; AND (3) SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH
THIRD, FOURTH, OR FIFTH YEAR APPRENTICE. THE APPRENTICE'S STATUS AS A
FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR APPRENTICE WILL BE DETERMINED
ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, OR IF THE APPRENTICE IS NO LONGER
EMPLOYED BY THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYER ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CALENDAR
YEAR, ON THE LAST DAY OF THE APPRENTICE'S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE PARTIC-
IPATING EMPLOYER.
§ 4. Paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 58-0303 of the environ-
mental conservation law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59
of the laws of 2021, is amended to read as follows:
a. The commissioner and the commissioner of the division of housing
and community renewal or any other department or state agency that has
received funds suballocated pursuant to this section may enter into
agreements with municipalities, [and] not-for-profit corporations,
PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR
ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES for the purpose of implementing a
program pursuant to this section.
§ 5. Subdivision 3 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
3. The department, the office of parks, recreation, and historic pres-
ervation [and], the department of state AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON
NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE are authorized to provide state assist-
ance payments or grants to municipalities [and], not-for-profit corpo-
rations, PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES, and undertake projects pursuant
to paragraph a of subdivision one of this section.
§ 6. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
4. The department [and], the office of parks, recreation, and historic
preservation, AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
municipalities [and], not-for-profit corporations, PUBLIC AGENCIES,
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND
INDIAN TRIBES, and undertake projects pursuant to paragraph b of subdi-
vision one of this section. Culvert and bridge projects shall be in
A. 5896 5
compliance with the department's stream crossing guidelines and best
management practices, and engineered for structural integrity and appro-
priate hydraulic capacity including, where available, projects flows
based on flood modeling that incorporates climate change projections and
shall not include routine construction or maintenance undertaken by the
state or municipalities.
§ 7. Subdivision 5 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
5. The department [and], the office of parks, recreation, and historic
preservation, AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
municipalities [and], not-for-profit corporations, PUBLIC AGENCIES,
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND
INDIAN TRIBES, and undertake projects pursuant to paragraph c of subdi-
vision one of this section.
§ 8. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0503 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
2. The department or the office of parks, recreation and historic
preservation are authorized to undertake open space land conservation
projects, in cooperation with willing sellers pursuant to subdivision
one of this section and may enter into an agreement for purchase of real
property or conservation easements on real property by a municipality
[or], a not-for-profit corporation, PUBLIC AGENCY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, OR INDIAN TRIBE. Any such
agreement shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary to ensure
that the purchase is consistent with, and in furtherance of, this title
and shall be subject to the approval of the comptroller and, as to form,
the attorney general. In undertaking such projects, such commissioners
shall consider the state land acquisition plan prepared pursuant to
section 49-0207 of this chapter. Further, the department or the office
of parks, recreation and historic preservation are authorized to provide
state assistance payments to municipalities AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION
ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE for eligible projects consistent with
paragraphs a and c of subdivision one of this section.
§ 9. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0503 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
4. The department and the department of agriculture and markets are
authorized to provide, pursuant to paragraph b of subdivision one of
this section, farmland preservation implementation grants to county
agricultural and farmland protection boards pursuant to article [twen-
ty-five-aaa] TWENTY-FIVE-AAA of the agriculture and markets law, or to
municipalities, soil and water conservation districts [or], not-for-pro-
fit corporations OR THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE for implementation of projects.
§ 10. Subdivision 7 of section 58-0503 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
7. The commissioner and a not-for-profit corporation OR THE NEW YORK
COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE may enter into a contract
for the undertaking by the not-for-profit corporation of an open space
land acquisition project.
A. 5896 6
§ 11. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0703 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
2. The department, the department of agriculture and markets, the
office of parks, recreation and historic preservation, the New York
state energy research and development authority [and], the office of
general services, AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
municipalities [and], not-for-profit corporations, PUBLIC AGENCIES,
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND
INDIAN TRIBES, or undertake projects pursuant to this section.
§ 12. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0903 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
2. The department [and], the New York state environmental facilities
corporation, AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
municipalities, NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN
TRIBES for projects authorized pursuant to paragraphs a, b, and d of
subdivision one of this section.
§ 13. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0903 of the environmental conserva-
tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
2021, is amended to read as follows:
4. The department [is] AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND
COMMUNITY SERVICE ARE authorized to make grants available to not-for-
profits [and], academic institutions, PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERN-
MENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES
for paragraphs b, c, and f of subdivision one of this section, and make
state assistance payments to municipalities, NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPO-
RATIONS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES and undertake projects pursuant
to this section.
§ 14. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.